City Council

3 Mayor Natalie Hall Councilmember Steve Austin Councilmember Wendy Aston MEETINGAGENDA Mf IIECnAl T Councilmember Greg Wilding City Council ... . Chambers . f 4. u i-rnrv Ol,UrrUMl.t '" -i •< i —— Councilmember Trad Crockett CouncllmemberAlan Lord Wednesday,September 25,2024, at 6:00 p.m. Notice is hereby given that the Bluffdale City Council will hold a meeting on Wednesday, September 25,2024, at Bluffdale City Hall, 2222 West 14400 South, Bluffdale, Utah. The meeting will begin at 6:00 PM or as soon thereafter as possible. This meeting will also be broadcast live to the public at: www.bluffdale.gov. The public may comment at the meeting or by emailing comments to councilmeetingcomment@bluffdale.gov by 4:00 PM the day ofthe meeting. Emailed comments will be submitted to the City Council but will not be read at the meeting. Notice is further given that access to this meeting by the City Council may be by electronic means. In the event the meeting is disrupted in any way that the City in its sole discretion deems inappropriate,the City reserves the right to immediately remove the individual(s) from the meeting and, if needed,end virtual access to the meeting. Reasons for removing an individual or ending virtual access to the meeting include but are not limited to the posting of offensive pictures, remarks, or making offensive statements, disrespectful statements or actions, and any other action deemed inappropriate. BLUFFDALE CITY COUNCIL REGULAR BUSINESS MEETING 6:00 P.M. 1. Callto Order:(Roll Call, Invocation, Pledge of Allegiance*). 2. Minute and Agenda Approval: 2.1 September 11,2024, City Council Meeting Minutes. 2.2 Approval of this meeting's agenda. 3. Mayor and Council Reports: 4. Presentation Items: 4.1 Recognition of Exemplary Students from Bluffdale Elementary School.(Presenter Mayor Hall) 4.2 Informational Presentation on the Salt Lake County Public Safety Bond (Presenter, SLCO Chair, Laurie Stringham) 5. Public Comment:(This is a time and place for any person who wishes to comment on items not scheduled on the agenda for public hearing. Any person or group wishing to comment on any item not otherwise scheduled for public hearing on the agenda may address the City Council at this point by stepping to the microphone and giving his or her nameforthe record orbvemailingcouncilmeetingcomment@bluffdale.gov. Comments should be limited to not more than three (3) minutes unless additional time is authorized by the Chair. Groups wishing to comment will be asked to appoint a spokesperson. Items brought forward to the attention of the City Council will be turned over to staff to provide a response outside of the City Council meeting.) 6. Consent Agenda:(These items are considered by the City Council to be routine and will be enacted by a single motion. If discussion is desired on any particular consent item, that item may be removed from the consent agenda and considered separately. No public comment will be permitted.) 6.1 Resolution 2024-68- Reappointing board members to Healthy Bluffdale Coalition Board 7. Action or Discussion Items; Items Continued from Previous Meeting:(These items are considered by the City Council individually. No public comment will be permitted.) 7.1 Resolution No.2024-67-Amending the Bluffdale Employee Policies and Procedures Manual related to Salary for full time Fire Fighters.(Staffpresenters Bruce Kartchnerand ToddSwingle) 8. Public Hearing Items:(Public comments must abide by the requirements listed above). City Council Meeting — September 25,2024 Page 1 of2  None. 9. Staff Reports, Additional Council Discussion, and Calendaring Items: 10. Closed Meetings• if any:(This meeting will be closed to the public for one of the stated purposes found in Utah Code §52-4-205(1), which is usually for one of the following purposes: discussion ofthe character, professional competence, or physical or mental health of an individual; discuss collective bargaining; discuss pending or reasonably imminent litigation; discuss the purchase, exchange,sale, or lease of real property,including water rights or water shares). 11. Adjournment. CERTIFICATE OF POSTING I hereby certify that the foregoing notice and agenda posted at the Bluffdale City Hall and on the City's website (www.bluffdale.govT delivered to each member of the Bluffdale City Council; and posted on the Utah State Public Notice website(www.pmn.utah.gov). Published and posted on September 20,2024. TamI Timothy City Recorder In compliance with the American with Disabilities Act, individuals needing assistance or other services or accommodation for this meeting should contact Bluffdale City Hall at least 24 hours in advance of this meeting at 801-254-2200. TTY 7-1-1. 'Contact the City Recorder if you desire to give the Invocation or lead the Pledge of Allegiance. City Council Meeting - September 25,2024 Page 2 of 2  BLUFFDALE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Tuesday,September 25,2024 Present: City Council: Mayor Pro Tempore Wendy Aston Steve Austin Traci Crockett Alan Lord Greg Wilding Excused: Mayor Natalie Hall Staff: Bruce Kartchner, Assistant City Manager Fred Donaldson, City Attorney Grant Crowell, Community and Economic Development Director Matt Evans,Fire Chief Amanda Luker,Communications Specialist Derek Dalton, Bluffdale Precinct Sergeant Todd Swingle, Human Resources and Payroll Manager Daniel Tracer, Assistant City Engineer Caitlyn Tubbs,Senior Planner BLUFFDALE CITY COUNCIL REGULAR BUSINESS MEETING 1. Call to Order. In the absence ofMayor Hall, Mayor Pro Tempore Wendy Aston called the meeting order at 6:00 p.m. All members ofthe City Council were present. Laurie Stringham offered the Invocation and led the Pledge of Allegiance. 2. Minutes and Agenda Approval: 2.1 September 11.2024. Citv CouncO Meeting Minutes. 2.2 Approval of this Meeting's Agenda. Council Member Crockett moved to APPROVE the September II,2024, City Council Meeting Minutes and Meeting Agenda, as presented. Council Member Austin seconded the motion. Vote on Motion: Council Member Lord-Yes, Council Member Austin-Yes, Council Member Aston-Yes, Council Member Wilding-Yes, Council Member Crockett-Yes. The motion passed unanimously. 3. Mavor and Council Reports.  BLUFFDALE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Tuesday,September 25,2024 There were no reports. 4. Presentation Items. 4.1 Recognition of Exemplary Students from Biuffdale Elementary School. (Presenter^ Mayor Pro Tempore Wendy Aston\ Mayor Pro Tempore Aston read the teachers' comments as follows: Kennedy Walker is in the second grade and her teacher is Miss Freeman. "Kennedy consistently shows respect and compassion for both peers and teachers. She is wise and witty beyond her years. With her friendly, positive, and kind attitude, she spreads sunshine all around the classroom. She helps create a fun atmosphere that helps everyone feel a sense of belonging and friendship. She has top academic skills in all areas, and she is always willing to share ideas with other students in need of help or encouragement. With Kennedy's top skills and positive attitude, she can accomplish anything." Lily Johnson is in the third grade, and her teacher is Mrs. Tibbets. "Lily is being recognized as an exemplary student because of her hard work, kind and helpful demeanor, and amazing attitude. Lily is always willing to lend a hand to other students who may need extra help, and she participates in classroom discussions. Lily is also the kind of student that makes her teacher excited to come to work. She is truly deserving of everything good." Jacob Patterson is in the fourth grade, and his teacher is Mrs. Collaco. "Jacob is an exemplary student due to his remarkable dedication and enthusiasm for learning. He consistently demonstrates a high level ofcuriosity and commitmentto his studies,eagerly participating in class discussions,completing assignments with great attention to detail, and often going above and beyond classroom expectations. His kindness and willingness to assist classmates foster a supportive and inclusive environment, making him a role model for his peers. Jacob's enthusiasm for learning and his ability to collaborate effectively with others highlights his exceptional character and commitment to academic excellence." Zach Smith is in the fifth grade. His teacher. Miss Fisher, said,"I am excited to have Zach recognized by the City of Biuffdale for being an exemplary student. I have only known him for a month, and he has already made an impact in our classroom. We have a lot of students in our class, and Zach's  BLUFFDALE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Tuesday,September 25,2024 willingness to offer help, work hard, and keep a positive attitude has set such a great example for everyone else to follow. His ability to influence others has definitely been noticeable. Zach is so polite and kind as well, and I am really looking forward to getting to know him better and watching him leam and grow this year." Lincoln Johnson is in the sixth grade, and his teacher is Miss Sanders. "Lincoln exemplifies a passion for learning and consistently serves as a role model by adhering to rules and expectations. His dedication to understanding material thoroughly, along with his willingness to assist peers by guiding their thinking, highlights his exceptional character and commitment to success." Photographs were taken with the City Council. 4.2 Informational Presentation on the Salt Lake County Public Safety Bond (Presenter,SLCO Chair,Laurie StrinshamX Salt Lake County Council Chair, Laurie Stringham,spoke about the Public Safety Bond and indicated that the County Council voted 8-1 in favor ofadding the bond to the 2024 ballot. The County's needs include: • The consolidation and improvement ofthe county jail. • Expansion ofthe adult detention center to meet population growth and capacity needs. • Increased rehabilitative services and mental health resources. • During COVID-19, the County was forced to reopen the Oxbow facility, which had been closed for over 10 years, and move people into that jail. They have had to rehabilitate it, and it is barely fiinctioning. • Oxbow needs to be closed, and its inmates and services transferred to the expanded jail and adult detention center. The County has spent 1 Vi years studying the problems and researching solutions. If they were to expand the jail to the projected need within the next five years, the cost would be astronomical, so  BLUFFDALE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Tuesday,September 25,2024 they needed a more cost-effective way to do it. After extensive research,they concluded that a Justice and Accountability Center would best suit the County's needs. Ms. Stringham noted that Utah does not do business like everyone else and many of its jails are public/private/non-profit partnerships. The Justice and Accountability Center is part of that concept and a small part of the County's Human Services, Homelessness, and Criminal Justice Action Plan. It is the most cost-effective alternative to jail for low-level offenders, and it balances accountability with resources and real solutions—^behavioral, mental health, substance use disorder, medical,job training, housing, etc. It is connected to the criminal justice system, and not a "glorified homeless shelter" as some have alleged. Regarding location, the County is considering a parcel near the jail, as well as others in the area. The goals ofthe Action Plan are to reduce crime,improve accountability, connect with resources and real solutions, and break the cycle of repeat offenders. The County's population has grown, but no jail beds have been added since 2001. The Justice Center will be cost-effective, fiscally conservative, and responsible, and it is an integral part of the Salt Lake County Human Services, Homelessness, and Criminal Justice Reform Action Plan. It has bipartisan support from the County Council, as well as majority support from surveyed community members. With regard to taxpayer savings from the Justice and Accountability Center, the jail currently costs $136 per person per day, or $49,640 annually. The Justice and Accountability Center will only cost $75 per person per day or $27,500 annually, a savings of$60 per person per day or $22,500 annually. It is also expected to reduce recidivism. The General Obligation Bond costs include: • $100 million for the Justice and Accountability Center. • $427 million for the jail expansion. • $90 million for maintenance and improvements to the adult detention center and sheriffs office. • $10 million for demolition ofthe Oxbow facility(costs to be recouped by sale ofthe property).  BLUFFDALE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Tuesday,September 25,2024 The County anticipates that the costs will be offset slightly by $20 million from the sale ofthe Oxbow property, as well as the $100 million that was set aside for deferred maintenance and deliberate savings for this project. The total bond cost is $507 million, and the impact on residents would be $4.91 per residence and $8.93 per business per month. Ms. Stringham noted that the average private property value in Salt Lake County is $602,000. The County spent approximately 1 '/a years studying the Human Services, Homelessness, and Criminal Justice Reform Action Plan, which was unveiled on July 24,2024. It was approved in an 8- 1 bipartisan vote in August of 2024. The first public hearing was held on September 19, 2024, and the second will be held on October 8,2024. Ballots will be mailed on October 15,2024, and election day is November 5, 2024. If approved, work will begin in January of2025. Ms. Stringham stated that the Oxbow facility was not intended to be put back in service, and the only investments that have been made since reopening have been to keep it functioning. They researched different types of facilities and programs throughout the United States, including the Utah Juvenile Justice Program. Utah has been redeveloping its juvenile justice centers under a new model. If a child commits a crime, the system determines if there are serious issues that need to be addressed to gauge where the child belongs in the system. Ifthey determine,for example,that the child is homeless and in need ofservices,instead ofgoing into thejuvenilejustice system,they are moved into a services area where they provide help and support to be successful moving forward. If the same child is charged with a future crime, they no longer have the option ofservices. Instead, they are moved into the system based on those choices. There are levels within the justice system. For example, in the lower level, the child is told that if they go to school every day, get good grades, and follow the required steps, they can work their way out ofthe system. If they do not follow the steps, they will go up through the levels ofthe system. That is the concept behind the Justice and Accountability Center. It gives people the opportunity to either work themselves down and out of the system or up and further into the system. The Coxmty hopes that people who arejust being rolled out will take advantage ofthat option and work themselves down and out ofthe system in a way that saves money long-term.  BLUFFDALE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Tuesday,September 25,2024 In response to a question from Council Member Crockett, Ms. Stringham clarified that the repayment period is 20 years. There are two tranches, one in 2029 and another in 2030 or 2031, so the bond payments will come online in portions. Mayor Hall was provided with data on other justice centers, rehabilitation rates, etc., and Mrs. Stringham can provide additional information via email as well. Council Member Crockett liked the idea ofthe levels and the focus on rehabilitation and asked what is being done to prevent children from entering the juvenile justice system in the first place. Ms. Stringham stated that the County's plan is for the adult system, not the juvenile system. She used the juvenile system as an example. Council Member Crockett stated that something should be done to prevent them from entering the system and asked if the County is discussing that at all. Ms. Stringham stated that a lot ofat-risk youth are homeless, which is under the County'sjurisdiction, but the juvenile justice system is managed by the state. They are having a lot more success with this new model. The first model was established in northern Utah. They then used the cost savings of offering wraparound services and the resulting decrease in recidivism to revamp a second juvenile justice court. They have since used the funds saved on each site to complete all the juvenile justice sites in Utah. There are signs that they are making headway, which is why the County believes something similar should be done with adults. Many adults come into the system as young adults, and the process should be different for someone who is 18 versus someone who is 35 or 50, or for people who made one bad decision versus someone who has made multiple bad decisions. How to balance those differences has been a major discussion. They met with judges, sheriffs, district attorneys, public defenders, public mental health officials, the office ofhomelessness,legislators, and elected officials from different parts ofthe county. Their goal was to identify the gaps in the system and determine what was needed to fill them,and it became clear that a large gap is in wraparound services as people are released from jail. A lot of people never go to prison; they serve their time in the county jail. Some people lose their jobs or ability to support themselves because they are in jail for extended periods waiting for a hearing. Ifthey are not charged with a major crime, they can be stepped down. Some drug courts already do that. People are monitored but they can still go to work every day and not lose their job in the process.  BLUFFDALE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Tuesday,September 25,2024 A lot ofnon-profits that help people being released from jail also work with the homeless. They serve different demographics and have different goals, but they all work with people who would otherwise fall through the gaps. That is where they came up with the concept ofthe Justice and Accountability Center. It will have beds for high-level mental health patients that those services will not take, as well as those who just need support to get out ofthe system and back on their feet. In response to a question from Council Member Crockett, Ms. Stringham stated that the jail already has enough personnel to cover jail expansion. They have the staff, but not the beds and space for it. Regarding the Justice and Accountability Center, a lot ofother groups will come into that space. The management cost is not as great as might be expected, and they are already researching and preparing to apply for available grants. Their goal is to fully fund the facility through those other resources. Council Member Lord asked about the projected construction timeline. Ms. Stringham stated that it will take approximately 18 to 24 months for the jail, and they expect the Justice and Accountability Center to be completed within that timeframe as well. If it does not pass, there is currently no Plan B. A jail expansion would be more expensive, but that may be brought back for a vote to determine if it is what citizens prefer. They have been trying to find a way to cut the cost ofthe jail. Services cost more than a jail when you look specifically at personnel, but they cost significantly less when you consider the decrease in recidivism. Ms. Stringham indicated that Oregon's State Legislature passed a law requiring this type of step- down, lower security center in every county, and positive statistical data is coming out of it. Their cost per bed is significantly lower. People still serve their time and receive services, but ifthey follow the rules, they are also able to leave the facility to work and spend time with their families. Mayor Pro Tempore Austin thanked Ms. Stringham for the presentation. 5. Public Comment. Theone Kartchner who lives near the South Hills, stated that several citizens ofBluffdale and Riverton have expressed concem about the construction on 13800 South. Mayor Hall and City Engineer, Michael Fazio set up a meeting on September 18, 2024, where a lot of good information was disseminated about options,responsibilities, and who citizens can contact going forward. At the close  BLUFFDALE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Tuesday,September 25,2024 of the meeting, a gentleman from Riverton praised the city for hosting the event and providing the necessary information. He did not agree with what might happen,but he thanked Bluffdale for having the meeting so they could feel like they were being heard. Ms. Kartchner wanted the City Council to know that good things are happening in the City due to the elected officials and City Staff coming together. 6. Consent Agenda. 6.1 Resolution 2024-68- Reappointing board members to Healthy Bluffdale Coalition Board. Council Member Austin moved to APPROVE the Consent Agenda, as presented. Council Member Wilding seconded the motion. Vote on the Motion: Council Member Crockett-Yes, Council Member Lord-Yes,Council Member Austin-Yes,Council Member Aston-Yes,Council Member Wilding-Yes. The motion passed unanimously. 7. Action or Discussion Items: Items Continued from Previous Meeting. 7.1 Resolution No. 2024-67 - Amending the Bluffdale Employee Policies and Procedures Manual related to Salary for Full-Time Firefighters. (StaffPresenters Bruce Kartchner and Todd SwinsleX Human Resources and Payroll Manager,Todd Swingle, presented the Staff Report and indicated that the amendment includes the following administrative changes: • Appendix to the Policies and Procedures: Removal ofthe organizational chart. • 1.10.020 Implementation: Removal ofthe line "and attached to these policies and procedures for reference." • 1.20.020 Employee Definitions: Expanded to include the full-time and part-time fire, EMS, and regular employees. Full-time firefighters and EMS employees work two 24-hour shifts every six days on a regular basis. Part-time employees work one 24-hour shift on a regular basis. • 1.20.040 Job Descriptions: Changed to include City Manager or designee.  BLUFFDALE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Tuesday,September 25,2024 • 1.40.040 Exempt and Non-Exempt Employees: Assistant City Manager and Assistant City Engineer positions were added to the list ofexempt employees. • 1.40.050 Overtime: Language was added to include overtime rules for firefighters and EMS. The City chose to adopt a 24-day work period,and any hours above 182 worked by firefighters in that time period would be considered overtime pay. • 140.080 Holiday Pay: Language was added for full-time firefighters, to include six 24-hour floating holidays each calendar year. Regular employee accrual rates were converted from days to hours to match accrual for firefighters, who will receive 40 initial paid time off hours and will accrue 120 hours. PTO Incentive accrual was also changed fi*om days to hours, and the same PTO incentive was established for firefighters and EMS employees. • 1.40.200 Funeral Leave: Converted from days to hours. • 1.40.210 Catastrophic Leave: Converted from days to hours. Council Member Austin noted that Page 24,Item B listed an incorrect number ofhours. Mr. Swingle stated that the number would be corrected to 280. Council Member Wilding moved to APPROVE Resolution No. 2024-67 — Amending the Bluffdale Employee Policies and Procedures Manual related to Salary for FuU-Time Firefighters, with changes. CouncU Member Austin seconded the motion. Vote on the Motion: Council Member Wilding-Yes, Council Member Crockett-Yes, Council Member Lord-Yes, Council Member Austin-Yes, Council Member Aston-Yes. The motion passed unanimously. In response to a question. Fire Chief, Matt Evans, stated that thejob announcement for engineers and captains was posted the previous day. They are recruiting in-house only at this time and believe they will have enough candidates from within. 8. Public Hearing Items. 8.1 None. 9. Staff Report Additional Council Discussion, and Calendaring Items.  BLUFFDALE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Tuesday,September 25, 2024 Assistant City Manager, Bruce Kartchner, reported on the following: • Work will begin on the rodeo arena bleachers in October. • Starbucks is now open. 10. Closed Meeting. There was no closed meeting. 11. Adjournment. Council Member Crockett moved to ADJOURN. Council Member Austin seconded the motion. The motion passed with the unanimous consent of the Council. The City Council Meeting adjourned at approximately 6:48 p.m. Tami Timothy, City Recorder Approved: 10-09-2024_ CORPOR/riE 10  Public Comment Addendum Received by Email for 09-25-2024 City Council 09-25-2024 Taylor Peterson- Google Fiber Hi, This is for today's city council meeting,9/25. My name is Taylor Peterson. I am a resident in the Vintage on the Bluffs HOA community off of Redwood and 140th south. I have been in communication with the Mayor regarding google fiber, but i'd also like the city to talk about the progress. All West as far as I am aware has made 0 progress. Where are we at with Fiber, and where are we at with Google? The Mayor had mentioned going over a contract with Google during the week of September 9th.